Wednesday, September 28, 2011

1. The biggest truck in the world is neither a Volvo nor a Ford, not even a Mack truck with a double trailer. The real monsters are mining trucks that stand more than 21 feet tall and 48 ft long.

2. This gargantuan of a truck is hard to describe, but put it this way, the driver needs to climb from his cab into an open window on the second floor of an average building. Imagine standing on the terrace of your duplex house and driving the entire building?

3. There are many manufacturers building these monsters and the trucks are relatively close in size, so it’s not easy to determine which one is truly the largest.

4. The images shown here are those of a Caterpillar 797F Mining Truck, which weighs more than one million pounds (453,592 kilograms) and can carry and dump more than 300 tons of material in the back.

5. These mining trucks produce about 4,000 horsepower to move all that mass and travel at a maximum speed of 67 kmph.Like · · Share · Edit · about an hour ago.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Born July 9, 1930 (age 81)Nannilam, Madras Presidency, IndiaOccupation Director, producer, screenwriter, actor, stage conductor, television directorYears active 1965-presentSpouse RajamK. Balachander (Tamil: கே. பாலசந்தர்; born July 9, 1930) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes.[1][2] He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or writer. In his career, he has mainly contributed to the Tamil film industry and is credited with having introduced hundreds of actors and technicians in Tamil Cinema including Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Prakash Raj and Vivek.[2][3][4] He also owns a production house named Kavithalaya Productions. Besides Tamil cinema, he has directed films in Telugu, Hindi and Kannada languages and occasionally worked as an actor and in television as well.Balachander has won multiple National Film Awards and numerous Filmfare Awards. He was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award in 1987, and is also a recipient of the ANR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.[5][6] In 2011, Balachander was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in cinema for his contribution to arts.[7] He also holds an Honorary doctorate. He is popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Sikaram (English: (lit.) The top director) in Kollywood.[3]

K Balachander Profile, List of Movies and Awards

Noted film maker from the South, K Balachander was selected for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2010. Balachander has directed films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada languages. He was also film producer and screen writer for some films. Balachander born on 9th July 1930. Balachander introduced Super Stars from the South like Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth and Prakash Raj. He produced films on the banner of Kavithalaya Productions. His most popular films in Telugu are Anthuleni Katha (Apoorva Raagangal in Tamil) and Maro Charithra, Aakali Rajyam, Andamaina Anubhavam, Rudra Veena etc. Balachander introduced Mega Star Chiranjeevi to Tamil audience through Idi Katha Kaadu (47 Natkal in Tamil in 1981). Balachander is popularly known as Iyakkunar Sikaram in Kollywood.

K. Balachander was born on 9 July 1930 in a Tamil Brahmin family to Saraswati and Dhandapani at Nannilam in the then Tanjore district (now Tiruvarur District), India. He completed his B. Sc., (Zoology) in 1949 at Annamalai University. While working in the Accountant General’s Office as a Superintendent in the 1960s, he came to prominence as an amateur playwright with his dynamic plays like Major Chandrakanth, Server Sundaram, Neerkumizhi, Mezhuguvarthi, Naanal and Navagraham. The plays, which were produced and directed by him, were an instant success and enjoyed both popular and critical acclaim. His films always carried a message for the society, with his personal directorial touch.

Career

K. Balachander is known among actors as a tough taskmaster, K. Balachander was able to extract from these actors some of their finest acting performances for his films. He was capable to infuse from these actors some of their finest acting performances for his films. Anterior to his intimacy in Indian cinema, he worked as a school teacher in Muthupet, Tiruvarur District, and as a playwright.It was M. G. Ramachandran who had asked him to write dialogues for the film Dheiva Thaai. His famed films were Tamil productions such as Apoorva Raagangal (1975), which deals with a father-son relationship and inter-generational romance that culminates in a complex quandary. Avargal (1977), which follows the life of a divorcee as she traverses various relationships in reverse, from divorce, to marriage, to falling in love. Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980), a drama that charts the travails and conflict of being unemployed in a bombastic and harsh city. 47 Natkal (1981), which traces the adversities of a newly-wed Indian woman living with an scurrilous, expatriate husband in a Parisian suburb; and Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), about the intellectual collision and subsequent romance between an lofty Carnatic musician and his ardent female critic. Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981, Hindi), about cross-cultural romance in India, for which he received two Filmfare nominations - for direction and best story.[8][9]His Telugu films Maro Charithra and Rudraveena are notably among the best movies ever made in Telugu film Industry. He directed the story about a woman breadwinner taking care of her family in several languages, the Tamil film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974), the Telugu film Anthuleni Katha (1976), and produced the Kannada film Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu (1983).His later films include Parthale Paravasam (2001) and Poi (2006).[11] To him goes the credit for discovering new talent in acting, direction, and other technical areas, many of whom have made a mark in their respective fields. Rajnikanth, a discovery of Balachandar and Kamal Hassan, whom he moulded into a great actor, prove this.His serials, Kai Alavu Manasu, Rayil Sneham, Kadhal Pagadai, Premi, Jannal Anni and others have been successful. "This medium helps to reach out to the public. That's why I am into making serials," says Balachandar. He strongly feels that the three different medium of entertainment — theatre, cinema and television are bound to co-exist. One cannot destroy the other and at any given time the public will see what it wants.After nearly 40 years, and as a homage to his dear friend Nagesh, KB recently returned (and was "Reborn" as he himself claims) to theatre through the play Pournami, Starring Renuka and Poovilangu Mohan among others, the story is about a homemaker whose husband gets caught in Pakistan under the suspicion of being a terorist.

Personal life

Balachander is married to Rajam. The couple has 3 children, two sons - Kailasam, Prasanna and one daughter Pushpa Kandaswamy, Chief Executive Officer, Kavithalaya Productions.

Awards

K. Balachander is a nine-time winner of National Film Awards. He has received Filmfare Awards on more than 12 occasions. He was bestowed upon Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema in 2011.

Civilian honors

Year Award Honouring body Outcome Ref1987 Padmashri Government of India Won [1]Honorary Doctorate

Year Award Honouring body Outcome Ref2005 Doctor of Letters Sathyabama University Won 2005 Doctor of Letters Alagappa University Won 2007 Doctor of Letters Madras University Won

National Film Awards

Year Film Category Outcome Ref

1969 Iru Kodugal Best Tamil Film Won 1975 Apoorva Raagangal Best Tamil Film Won 1981 Thaneer Thaneer Best Tamil Film Won 1981 Thaneer Thaneer Best Screenplay Won 1984 Achamillai Achamillai Best Tamil Film Won 1988 Rudraveena Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Won 1991 Oru Veedu Iru Vaasal National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues Won 1992 Roja Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Won 2011 Dadasaheb Phalke Award Won .[2]

Filmfare Awards

Year Film Category Outcome Ref1981 Ek Duje Ke Liye Best Screenplay Won [3]1981 Ek Duje Ke Liye Best Story Nominated Filmfare Awards SouthYear Film Language Category Outcome Ref1974 Aval Oru Thodar Kathai Tamil Best Director Won 1975 Apoorva Raagangal Tamil Best Director Won 1978 Maro Charitra Telugu Best Director Won 1980 Varumayin Niram Sivappu Tamil Best Director Won 1981 Thaneer Thaneer Tamil Best Director Won 1984 Achamillai Achamillai Tamil Best Film Won 1984 Achamillai Achamillai Tamil Best Director Won 1985 Sindhu Bhairavi Tamil Best Film Won 1988 Rudraveena Telugu Best Director Won 1992 Roja Tamil Best Film Won 1995 Lifetime Achievement Award Won

International Film Festivals

1977 — Avargal at Moscow International Film Festival1980 — Varumayin Niram Sigappu at Mauritius International Film Festival

Other awards

Kalaimamani award from The Government of Tamil Nadu"Anna Award" from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1992He has won the "Golden Nandi Award for best feature film" and "Silver Nandi Award" on a number of occasions from the Government of Andhra PradeshThe Andhra Pradesh Government has also awarded him the Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer for his film Kokilamma in 1982 and Nandi Award for Best Director for Tholikodi Koosindi in 1981Kalai Maamedhai title form the Government of Pondichery in 1993 He was adjudged the "Best Film Technician" of the year 1983 by the South Indian Cine Technicians Association"A.V.M Award" from AVM ProductionsM.G.R Award from the South Indian Cine Technicians Association"Film Fans Association Award" for as many as 29 times in different categories as story writer, director, and producer."Filmdom Award" in 1992"'For The Sake of Honour award" from various Rotary Clubs in Tamil Nadu such as Madras West (1987) Dindugal West (1992), Tiruneveli West (1993) and Ambur (1993)Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995The Serial Kai Alavu Manasu written and directed by him won the Onida Pinnacle Award in 1995The Singapore Fans under the Presidentship of Hon Datto Samivelu Minister of Malaysia honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in a very Gala Public Function at the Singapore Stadium in 1996Dinakaran, a Tamil daily honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996Central Government Employees Welfare Co-Ordination Committee honoured him with a "For The Sake of Honour Award" in Recognition of his achievements in the field of Arts and Culture through his stage plays, movies and television serials in 1997"Kalaignar Award" from the Murasoli Trust in 2001"Thiraippada Ulaga Brahma", a title from the Indian Citizens of Kuwait in 2000"Bhishma Award" from The Ashram in 2001"Gnana Kala Bharathi", a title from Bharat Kalachar"Bharathi Award" from the Vanavil Pannbattu Maiyam, Chennai in 2006"Kalaiulaga Bharathi", a title conferred by the Tamil Fraternity of Abu Dhabi in 2006"Yuva Kala Vauhini" (Pride of Indian Cinema Award) in 2008"Lifetime Achievement award" at the International Film Festival of India held in Goa on 30 November 2008"Lifetime Achievement award" presented by JAYA TV on 24-12-2009"Natya Kala Vipanchee award", awarded by Balamurali Krishna in 2009"Dr. M.G.R Award" in 2010[4]ANR National Award in 2011[5][6]References

K. Balachander is known for introducing new faces to the film industry. He has introduced over 100 actors in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages. Balachander also had long associations with some senior artists in the South Indian film industry like Gemini Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki, Nagesh and Muthuraman. Even though he was not the one to discover them, he played a prominent role in shaping their career. The following refers to a limited number of film personnel who were either discovered by him or enacted their first major role in a film directed by him.Name Debut film Major role NotesKamal Hassan Yes Worked in 36 filmsRajinikanth Yes Yes Chiranjeevi Yes A.R.Rahman Yes Yes Roja was produced by BalachanderJaishankar Srikanth Yes Sivakumar Yes Jaiganesh Yes Yes Y. G. Mahendran Yes Yes Radha Ravi Yes Prakash Raj Yes Mentored by K.BAlso acted in some Television serials of BalachanderSarath Babu Yes S. V. Shekhar Yes Nassar Yes Ramesh Aravind Yes Yes Introduced by K.B in 3 languagesVivek Yes Yes Rahman Yes The only actor from Malayalam to be nurtured by K.BCharle Yes Yes Jayanthi Yes Lakshmi Yes Jayasudha Yes Yes Srividya Yes Jayachitra Yes Sripriya Yes Sujatha Yes Jayaprada Yes Yes Her first starring role was in Anthuleni KathaSridevi Yes Madhavi Yes Saritha Yes Yes Worked in 22 films under Balachander, the most for any actressGeetha Madhoo Yes Yes Yuvarani Yes Yes Vimala Raman Yes Yes [edit]Directors who worked under himAnanthu (Co-Director)Kamal HaasanVasanthBalakumaranSuresh KrishnaSaranSelvaraghavanCheranVisuVetrimaranSeemanSamuthirakani

The Goldplus Nano Car pales the average Rs.1.40 lakh Nano, which started with a Rs.1 lakh price tag at its launch.

The Goldplus Nano Car is billed as the world's first ever gold jewellery car and celebrates the 5,000 years of jewellery making industry in India.

The car's body is made with 80 kg 22 carat solid gold, 15 kg silver, precious stones - including diamonds, rubies - and other expensive gemstones, the official said.

'As many as 14 techniques of jewellery making have gone behind the effort -- from the intricate filigree work to the delicate and colourful meenakari work, the stunning kundan to the traditional naqashi...marking the convergence of diverse and culturally distinct jewellery making techniques from around India,' the official told IANS.

Titan Industries managing director Bhaskar Bhat said that since eternity, jewellery made with gold and precious stones has been an integral part of the Indian woman's life.

'Indian jewellery has been an epitome of innovation and creativity, and carved a niche worldwide for itself for the intricacy of the designs crafted out of the precious metals and stones,' said C.K. Venkataraman, COO, jewellery division.

After its glittering launch in Mumbai Monday evening, the Goldplus Nano Car will travel to all the Goldplus showrooms at 29 locations around the country.

The car incorporates beautiful designs, made with the precious stones of different colours, set on the gold and silver body of the car.